Vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, comprising a seat underframe and a backrest which tips forwards, these being interconnected by an adjustment and tipping axle ( 4 ); and which preferably has a backrest inclination adjustment device on both sides, said adjustment device(s) containing an adjustment gear and a part ( 9 ) whose angle is adjustable in relation to a side part of the seat underframe. In the use position of the backrest, a stop ( 25 ) of said part ( 9 ) with an adjustable angle rests on a first stop ( 24 ) of a fitting ( 8 ) which is fixed in relation to the backrest, while in the tipped-forward position of the backrest, a stop ( 23 ) that is provided on a fitting ( 7 ) on the seat side rests on a second stop ( 26 ) of the fitting ( 8 ) that is fixed in relation to the backrest and/or the backrest upholstery rests on the seat cushion.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat according to the preambleof claim 1.

[0002] In order to optimise the posture of the vehicle passenger, moreparticularly the vehicle driver of a motor vehicle, it is known to makethe vehicle seat longitudinally adjustable and the underframe of theseat vertically and incline adjustable and to make the incline of thebackrest of the vehicle seat adjustable relative to the seat underframeor seat cushion. For a two or three door vehicle it is further known inorder to facilitate entry for a rear seat passenger to make the backrestcapable of tipping forwards or over so that the backrest cushion comesto rest on the seat cushion to provide the largest possible entryopening.

[0003] In the in use position of the vehicle seat, i.e. in the optimuminclined position of the backrest for the vehicle passenger relative tothe seat underframe the incline adjustment of the backrest can be lockedin order to prevent rattling noises and in the event of a crash toprevent the backrest from folding forwards. In order to further improvecomfort when climbing into the back of the vehicle it is also known tolock the forward-folded backrest in a predetermined position in order toprevent the backrest which is resting with its seat back cushion on theseat cushion from springing back and thus reducing the access opening.

[0004]FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view a vehicle seat 1 without seatcushion and backrest cushion. The seat underframe 2 has on either sideof the vehicle seat 1 seat side parts 21, 22 which are connected to abackrest 3 through a common adjusting and tilting axle 4. In order toadjust the backrest incline a hand wheel 5 connected to an adjustinggear 6 is provided on one side of the vehicle seat 1.

[0005] The vehicle seat 1 which is shown in a in use position GS in FIG.1, i.e. in a certain inclined position, can be released from the lockedin use position GS by means of an operating handle 30 preferably on theside or top edge of the backrest 3 next to the vehicle door, preferablyan operating handle 30 mounted at the back of the backrest and which canbe swivelled about the adjusting and tipping axle 4 into a forwardfolded position VS in which the backrest 3 can be locked.

[0006]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an adjusting mechanismaccording to the prior art for a backrest which can be adjusted inincline and folded over.

[0007] The adjusting mechanism consists of a fitting 7 on the seat sidepart and a fitting 8 fixed on the backrest which can be adjusted inangle relative to the fitting 7 on the seat side part about theadjusting and tipping axle 4. In order to adjust the incline of thefitting 8 fixed on the backrest relative to the fitting 7 on the seatside part there is an adjusting gear 6 which is connected to anangularly displaceable part 9 which has two stops 10, 12 alignedrelative to each other of which the stop 12 on the angular adjustablepart 9 serves in interaction with a stop 11 mounted on the fitting 8fixed on the backrest to re-find a set in use position of the backrest 3(FIG. 1) whilst the stop 10 of the angularly adjustable part 9 securesthe in use position GS according to FIG. 1 in connection with a bolt 13which is sprung in the locking position. Unlocking the in use positionGS of the vehicle seat is through an operating element 14 which isguided in a slide guide 15 whereby the bolt 13 can be lifted againstspring force.

[0008] After releasing the stop 10 of the angular adjustable part 9 bylifting the bolt 13 the fitting 8 fixed on the backrest and thus thebackrest 3 itself can be tipped so far forwards into the forward foldedposition until the stop 11 of the fitting 8 fixed on the backreststrikes against the stop 10 of the angular adjustable part 9. Thus thebackrest can only be tipped over in the narrow area which lies betweenthe in use position in which the stop 11 of the fitting 8 fixed on thebackrest bears against the stop 12 of the angular adjustable part 9 andthe position in which the stop 11 of the fitting 8 fixed on the backreststops against the stop 10 of the angular adjustable part 9.

[0009] If in the in use position GS according to FIG. 1 the inclineangle formed between the backrest 3 and seat underframe 2 is very largethen it is apparent from the aforesaid illustration that as a result ofthe restricted tipping angle when folding the backrest 3 forwards intothe forward folded position VS there is still a considerable angle ofthe backrest 3 remaining relative to the seat underframe 2 and thus thebackrest 3 does not reach the desired forward folded position for anoptimum easy entry opening for rear seat passengers and where necessarya locking mechanism provided for locking the backrest 3 in the forwardfolded position VS cannot be activated.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seatwith a backrest which can be adjusted in incline and which can be tippedover whereby folding the backrest over into a predetermined andpreferably lockable position is guaranteed independently of the inclinedposition of the seat backrest in the in use position.

[0011] This is achieved according to the invention through the featuresof claim 1.

[0012] The solution according to the invention enables the backrest tobe tipped forwards into one and the same predetermined and in particularlockable forward folded position independently of the incline angle ofthe backrest which has been set in the relevant in use position.

[0013] The solution according to the invention is based on the knowledgethat the desired forward folded position of a backrest of a vehicle seatcan be provided independently of the relevant set backrest incline inthe in use position through stops provided independently of each otheron the fittings fixed on the backrest and on the seat side part as wellas on the angular-adjustable part of the adjusting mechanism. Separatingthe dependence of the forward folded position on the in use positionmakes it possible, even with a wide set back backrest incline, i.e. witha wide angle set between the backrest and the seat underframe, to set apredetermined forward folded position in which the position of thebackrest can be locked so that the backrest is prevented from springingback.

[0014] Advantageous developments of the solution according to theinvention can be drawn from the features of the sub-claims.

[0015] The idea on which the invention is based will now be described infurther detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in thedrawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat with a backrestwhich can be adjusted in incline and tipped over;

[0017]FIG. 2 shows an adjusting mechanism according to the prior art;

[0018]FIGS. 3 and 4 each show a perspective view of the adjustingmechanism according to the invention with the backrest of a vehicle seatlocated in the in use position; and

[0019]FIGS. 5 and 6 each show a perspective view of the adjustingmechanism according to the invention with the backrest tipped forwardsand locked.

[0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 on the one hand and 5 and 6 on the other each showthe alternate sides of the adjusting mechanism attached to the vehicleseat for adjusting the backrest incline in the in use position and fortipping the backrest forwards into the forward-folded position.

[0021]FIGS. 3 and 4 show the angular adjustable connection of a fitting8 fixed on the backrest through an adjusting and tipping axle 4 to afitting 7 on each seat side part which are connected to the seat sideparts 21, 22 of the seat underframe 2 according to FIG. 1 and are partof the seat side parts 21, 22 respectively. Adjusting the backrestincline is carried out by a hand wheel 5 which acts through an adjustinggear 6 on an angle-adjustable part 9 which has a stop 25 which can beadjusted in the directions of the double arrow entered on the stop 25and in interaction with a first stop 24 on the fitting 8 fixed on thebackrest sets the relevant incline of the backrest.

[0022] As opposed to the prior art the stops 23, 26 on the fitting 7 onthe seat side part and on the fitting 8 fixed on the backrest and whichdefine the forward tipping of the backrest are separated from the stops24, 25 which define the backrest incline in the in use position so thatany angle can be provided between the backrest incline in the in useposition according to FIGS. 3 and 4 and the backrest incline in theforward-tipped position according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0023] Since the stop 25 of the angular adjustable part 9 can only enterinto engagement with the associated first stop 24 on the fitting 8 fixedon the backrest in one direction, namely when tipping the backrest backinto the in use position whilst when tipping the backrest forwards thestop 23 provided on the seat side part 7 enters into engagement with thesecond stop 26 on the fitting 8 fixed on the backrest, and both pairs ofstops 24, 25 and 23, 26 are provided on different sides relative to theadjusting and tipping axle 4, tipping the backrest forwards isguaranteed independently of the in use position.

[0024] Alternatively the stop 23 provided on the fitting 7 on the seatside part can however also be replaced by the seat cushion connected tothe seat underframe 2 onto which the backrest upholstery of the backrestis pressed. In this forward folded position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 inwhich according to FIG. 6 the stop 23 mounted on the fitting 7 on theseat side part bears against the second stop 26 of the fitting 8 on thebackrest side, the position of the fitting 8 on the backrest side andthus of the backrest is fixed by means of a locking mechanism and canonly be released by operating the operating handle 30 according to FIG.1 in order to swivel the backrest 3 back again into the in use position.

[0025] The locking mechanism contains a locking lever 16 which is ableto swivel on an axle 20 connected to the fitting 8 fixed on the backrestin the direction of the double arrow entered in FIG. 5. The one leverarm 17 of the locking lever 16 is connected to a Bowden able 29 and to aspring 22 which is mounted and fixed between a pin 21 located at the endof the lever arm 17 and the axle of the adjusting gear 6 whilst theother lever arm 18 can be locked with a bolt 19 which is fixed on thefitting 7 on the seat side part. On reaching the predetermined forwardfolded or tipped position of the backrest the lever arm 18 of thelocking lever 16 engages round the bolt 19 with positive engagement sothat the backrest is secured by means of the spring elasticallypretensioned locking lever 16.

[0026] Releasing this locked position is achieved by operating theoperating handle 30 according to FIG. 1 which acts through the Bowdencable 29 on the lever arm 17 of the locking lever 16 and which liftsagainst the action of the spring 22 the positive engagement between theend of the lever arm 18 and the bolt 19.

[0027] In general the in use position of a forward folded backrest isreleased through an operating handle 30 mounted in the upper area of thebackrest whereby Bowden cables 27, 28 or operating rods for lockingmechanisms on the operating handle 30 are fitted on both sides of thevehicle seat. The Bowden cable 29 which is provided for the lockinglever 16 is likewise fitted on the designated operating handle 30 whichaccording to FIG. 1 is mounted preferably concealed on the back of thebackrest 3.

[0028] Securing the backrest incline in the in use position isundertaken by a bolt (not shown in further detail in FIGS. 3 to 6)corresponding to the bolt 13 shown in FIG. 2 which can be operatedthrough an operating element 14 guided in a slide guide 15.

[0029] As opposed to the prior art the inwardly pointing stop 12 of theangular adjustable part 9 according to FIG. 2 has thus been replaced byan outward pointing stop 24 on the fitting 8 fixed on the backrestaccording to FIG. 3, and the stop 11 on the fitting 8 fixed on thebackrest according to FIG. 2 has been replaced by the stop 25 on theangular adjustable part 9 according to FIG. 3 and the stops 24, 25defining the incline angle of the backrest in the in use position areseparated and are mounted on different sides of the adjusting andtipping axle 4 through which the backrest is attached to the seatunderframe.

1. Vehicle seat having a seat underframe and a forward-tipping backrestwhich are connected together through an adjusting and tipping axle, witha backrest incline adjusting device preferably provided on both sides ofthe vehicle seat and containing an adjusting gear and a part whose anglecan be adjusted relative to a side part of the seat underframe,characterised in that in the in use position (GS) of the backrest (3) astop (25) of the angular adjustable part (9) bears against a first stop(24) of a fitting (8) fixed on the backrest, and in the forward-tippedposition (VS) of the backrest (3) a stop (23) provided on a fitting (7)on the seat side part bears against a second stop (26) of the fitting(8) fixed on the backrest and/or the backrest upholstery rests on theseat cushion.
 2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1 characterised in thatthe stop (25) of the angular-adjustable part (9) and the first stop (24)of the fitting (8) fixed on the backrest are mounted on the side of theadjusting and tipping axle (4) facing the seat underframe (2) and thestop (23) provided on the fitting (7) on the seat side part as well asthe second stop (26) on the fitting (8) fixed on the backrest arearranged on the opposite side of the adjusting and tipping axle (4). 3.Vehicle seat according to claim 2 characterised in that the first stop(24) of the fitting (8) fixed on the backrest is formed as a stop edgeon the fitting (8) fixed on the backrest and in relation to theadjusting and tipping axle (4) is directed away from the seat underframe(2) when folding the backrest (3) forwards.
 4. Vehicle seat according toat least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the backrest(3) can be locked in the relevant set in use position (GS) by means of abolt (13) which is sprung in the locking direction.
 5. Vehicle seataccording to claim 4 characterised in that the bolt (13) is connected toan operating element (14) which is guided in a slide guide (15) andwhich is connected to an operating handle (30) through a Bowden cable(27, 28).
 6. Vehicle seat according to at least one of the precedingclaims characterised in that the backrest (3) in a predeterminedposition in the forward folding position (VS) is secured in the forwardfolding position (VS) means of a spring elastically pretensioned lockingelement (16).
 7. Vehicle seat according to claim 6 characterized in thatthe locking element consists of a locking lever (16) having two leverarms (17,18) which extend either side of an axle (20) mounted on thefitting (8) fixed on the backrest about which the locking lever (16) isable to swivel, of which the one lever arm (17) is connected to a Bowdenable (29) connecting the locking lever (16) to the operating handle(30), and the other lever arm (18) can be connected with keyedengagement to a catch element (19) which is mounted on the fitting (7)on the seat side part.
 8. Vehicle seat according to claim 7characterised in that the catch element (19) mounted on the fitting (7)on the seat side part consists of a bolt (19) protruding from thefitting (7) on the seat side part and the other lever (18) of thelocking lever (16) engages round the bolt (19) in the locking position.9. Vehicle seat according to at least one of the preceding claimscharacterized in that the locking lever (16) and/or the bolt (13) is orare each mounted on one side of the vehicle seat (1).
 10. Vehicle seataccording to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in thatboth the locking lever (16) and the bolt (13) are connected throughBowden cables (27, 28, 29) to the operating handle (30) which ispreferably mounted on the back of the backrest (3) in the region of itsupper edge.